There was no anger in her voice, only calm, unwavering determination.
Her eyes never left Annie's.
"Do you like me?"
Trapped between the door and the woman she had sworn to protect, Annie's defenses finally crumbled.
She looked into Risa's eyes, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes."
A slow, knowing smile spread across Risa's lips.
The moment Annie realized what she had admitted, panic flooded her face.
"N-No! Not like that," she blurted out, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. "I mean… I like you as my boss. I've been your bodyguard for years, so… of course I care about you. That's what I meant."
Risa stared at her for a long, quiet moment, her eyes tracking the frantic rise and fall of Annie's chest. Her fingers slowly slid down Annie's jaw, her touch lingering just a second too long before she finally dropped her hand.
